Zain Davids and Shilton van Wyk are back in the Springbok Sevens squad for the World Rugby Sevens Repechage in Monaco, from June 21-23. South Africa will face Mexico, Tonga, and Chile in pool play. The tournament winner will secure the final spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Davids and Van Wyk missed the previous trip to Europe for the HSBC SVNS Grand Finale in Madrid. Interim Head Coach Philip Snyman said resting them was a strategic move to prepare for Monaco.

“Both Zain and Shilton played in all the tournaments for us, and we felt it would be better for them to miss the Madrid one and to freshen up for Monaco, as they will be needed in what is a very important tournament for us,” explained Snyman.

The squad for Monaco consists of 12 players, not the usual 13 for SVNS events, impacting team selection. Snyman highlighted the need for versatile players like Siviwe Soyizwapi, who will play on the wing and in the forwards, and Selvyn Davids and Rosko Specman, who can cover several positions.

“The goal is straightforward: win in Monaco and gain entry to the Paris Olympics. The whole squad agrees that we were our own worst enemies during the SVNS series, and only we can fix that,” said Snyman.

The team is focused on the task ahead and aims to build momentum from the start.

“We need to lay a foundation against Mexico and follow it up on Day Two to get the best possible draw for the playoffs on Day Three,” Snyman added.

Pools in Monaco:

Pool A: South Africa, Chile, Tonga, Mexico

Pool B: Great Britain, Canada, Uganda, China

Pool C: Spain, Hong Kong China, Papua New Guinea, Brazil

Blitzboks Schedule:

Friday, June 21

7:32: Mexico

Saturday, June 22

14:32: Tonga

19:32: Chile

Springbok Sevens Squad for Monaco:

1. Christie Grobbelaar

2. Ryan Oosthuizen

3. Impi Visser

4. Zain Davids

5. Quewin Nortje

6. Tiaan Pretorius

7. Shaun Williams

8. Selvyn Davids (captain)

9. Tristan Leyds

10. Rosko Specman

11. Siviwe Soyizwapi

12. Shilton van Wyk

Source: [SARugby Website] https://sarugby.co.za/news-features/articles/2024/06/experienced-duo-returns-as-blitzboks-aim-for-paris-olympics